Present at the opening of the festival, which runs until April 5, was the Czech Deputy Culture Minister Frantisek Mikes, Budapest Mayor Gábor Demszky, Hungary's minister in charge of tourism István Gyenesei and museum director László Baán.
"The Budapest Spring Festival started out as a marvelous series of events in a single city, and now it is a wonderful series of events throughout the country," Hiller said, noting that festivals in 14 cities around Hungary had been linked to the programme in the capital.
This year's festival pays special tribute to the Austrian composer Joseph Hadyn on the 200th anniversary of his death, Hiller said. "It is the year of Haydn, the entire cultured world is celebrating Haydn."
Budapest Mayor Gábor Demszky said the most exciting part of the festival was presenting the Czech Republic.
The Czech Republic, which currently holds the European Union's rotating presidency, was instrumental in the organization of the Mucha exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts.
Mr Demszky said Mucha was exemplary in that he could not and did not want to separate himself from his own culture.
In spite of the global economic crisis, local government revenue looks set to meet the target in the first quarter, so Budapest was able to contribute the promised HUF 135 million in support for the festival, Mr Demszky said.
István Gyenesei, Hungary's minister in charge of tourism, said 2009 was the year of cultural tourism in Hungary and the Budapest Spring Festival was "one of the big tests".
Czech Deputy Culture Minister Frantisek Mikes said it meant a lot that his country was the guest of honour at this year's Budapest Spring Festival.
Source: Hungarian News Agency (MTI) / Photo: MTI
